Means for casting complete stringer lengths



April 24, 1956 MORlN MEANS FOR CASTING COMPLETE STRINGER LENGTHS Filed Sept. 21. 1950 illlllllllm INVENTOR LOU'SI H. MOR l N ATTORNEY are United States Patent MEANS FOR CASTING COMPLETE STRINGER LENGTHS This invention relates to the formation of what is generally known as a separable fastener stringer. More particularly, the present invention deals with the formation of complete stringer lengths in one cycle of machine operation by employing a series of simultaneously actuated injection units and a corresponding number of die units arranged in common alinement. Still more particularly, the invention deals with a mechanism for producing complete stringer lengths, wherein an elongated locking element, or rod, is employed and movable relatively to a plurality of the dies to control and regulate the length of stringer to be formed in each operation of the apparatus; thus, from time to time, the apparatus may be adjusted to produce stringers of different lengths and, still more particularly, the invention deals with a method, wherein the stringers are trimmed and the scoops of the stringers formed in continued operation of the apparatus for the production of finished formed die cast stringers.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following descriptions, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosedand, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which: I

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view through one of the units of an apparatus and also indicating the tape feed mechanism of the appaartus.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic plan and sectional view taken along the parting line of the multiple die units and omitting the tape feed mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing other stations of the apparatus, indicating the trimming and forming operations.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the structure, as seen in Fig.3, diagrammatically showing the trimming tools, but omitting the forming tool of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the formed scoops detached with respect to the stringer tape.

In the accompanying drawing, I have diagrammatically illustrated such parts of apparatus as will illustrate the method of producing complete stringer lengths in each machine cycle, that is to say, in each operation of the apparatus. In Fig. 1, for example, I have shown, in section, at one gooseneck of a die casting machine having plunger or other means 11 for the discharge of casting material from the nozzle 12 of the gooseneck, the nozzle having a flat discharge surface, as at 13, for abutting engagement with the dies 14. v V

My present apparatus deals with an apparatus wherein a series of goosenecks are arranged in alinement in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2, in which figure six of the goosenecks are shown. For the purpose of description, these goosenecks may be regarded as injection units, the unit 10 comprising one unit and the other similar units are designated by the reference characters 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d and 10e.

In like manner, represents a die unit serviced by 2 the injection unit 10; whereas the other injection units service die units 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d and 142. It will be understood that, in one cycle of operation of the apparatus, all of the die units 14-l4e will be simultaneously opened and closed and, in the injection stroke, all of the units 10-10e will be simultaneously actuated to inject casting material into the die cavities. The cavity 15 of the die unit 14 ditfers from cavities 15a,.15b, 15c,.15d and 15a primarily in having an added cavity portion for the formation of a top stop 17 at one end of the complete stringer, generally identified by the reference character 18.

The cavity 15 also dilferentiates from the cavities 15a-15e in that it does not include the channel or passage, as at 19, which is incorporated in all of the latter cavities, the channel or passage being adapted to receive a blocking element or rod 20, for purposes later described.- All of the die units have a continuous alined cavity or passage 19 for reception of the beaded edge of the stringer tape.

Each of the cavities 1515e is adapted'to form a plurality of cast scoops 21 on the beaded edge 22 of the tape with difierent sizes of scoops, the number of cavities will be varied.

All of the die units 14a-14e are of the same construction and, thus, such units are interchangeable, whereas the die unit 14 is an end or special unit which includesan end stop casting. The unit 14 forms one end of the resulting stringer.

close proximity or substantially abut, as indicated at 24 so as to provide a spacing between end scoops formed by each die unit, which is common with the normal spacing of the scoops from each other within each unit, thus, all

of the scoops of a complete stringer length will'have' common spacing.

All the general structure of each die unit is the same with regard tosprue or gate passages, the brief description of ,one will apply to all. Each die unit has a main sprue or gate passage 25, into which the casting material is injected from the nozzle 12 of each injection unit and the material extends into a wide spreader portion 26 having individual gates 27 extending to the respective cavities forming the resulting individual scoops 21.

The die units 14a-14e have the passages 19 which transverse the gates 27 so that, when the blocking element or rod 20 is arranged therein, this rod or element will shut ofi the supply of casting material to the scoop cavities and, in this way, control the number of castings formed by the die unit. For example, in Fig. 2 of the drawing, the rod 20 is shown in the die unit 14c, blocking oft five of the passages 27, leaving the other three passages 27 open, so that, in the die unit 14a, three scoop castings 21 will be formed and this will govern the stringer length desired.

It will, of course, be apparent that any desired num-' ber of units 10-10e; 14-14:: may be employed and, on the basis that the complete stringer is bound to be more than "at least one of the completeunits, the rod 20 and the structure of other die units will be such as .to provide a control governing the desired stringer length by movement of the rod into a predetermined number of y In the present construction, the rod How- , ever, in most instances, this red will probably be operating only in about one-half of the completeunits which are employed. It will be understood that the rod can be adjusted to a position blocking cit any desired number.

. of scoop compartments. in any one of the die'units 14a,-

Patented Apr. 24, s

It will clearly appear from Fig. 2 of the drawing that adjacent portions of the die units are in;

He. Where the rod 20 completely blocks off all of the scoop cavities of the die unit, in other words, let us assume that the rod 20 was blocking oif part of the scoop cavities of the unit 140 then by suitable controls, the injection units 102 and d may be completely shut off from the standpoint of producing casting shots.

The complete stringer length of castings may be formed on pre-cut stringer lengths fed into the machine or stringer lengths can be formed on an endless stringer tape, in which event, a suitable feed in the form of a pair of grippers, as diagrammatically seen at 28 in .Fig. l of the drawing, will be employed. Suitable means will be provided to feed the grippers together with the tape longitudinally to bring a new stringer length in position between the die units 14-14e when the latter are in open position, preparatory to forming another complete stringer length on the tape in a predetermined spaced relationship with respect to the first named stringer length. In other words, the end stop 17 of the first stringer length will be positioned a predetermined distance from the end scoop 21 shown at the lower portion of Fig. 2.

A stop lock 29 is adjustably supported on the rod to control positioning of the rod with respect to the various die units in control of the stringer lengths to be formed.

After the complete stringer lengths are formed, the scoops of the stringer lengths are then trimmed and formed in the manner diagrammatically illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawing, to produce finished scoops,

generally of the structure illustrated in Fig. 5 of the draw- 3 ing. In other words, each stringer length or the continuous stringer with the separate stringers formed thereon is suitably fed through a pair of trimming rollers 30 to trim the complete gate portion 31 from the scoops 21, after which the trimmed scoops are passed through a milling cutter 32 to form a transverse groove 33 in the outer edge portion of each of the scoops, note Fig. 5.

The scoops 21 are of the double action type now commonly known in the art, in other words, having common upper and lower coupling surfaces, substantially as, for example, indicated in my prior Patent Number 2,446,056 of July 27, 1948.

Considering Fig. 5, each scoop 21 has a coupling head 34 which is more or less diamond-shaped in cross-sectional form, in which head, the groove 33 is formed. Inwardly of the head, upper and lower surfaces of the scoops have V-shaped channels 35 for reception of the heads of scoops of a companion stringer and these surfaces have, centrally thereof, key elements 36, only one of which is shown, which are adapted to receive the grooves 33 of the scoops of companion stringers, thus keying the scoops against lateral separation.

In the art, means have been employed to form separable fastener stringers by casting a small group of scoops in one operation upon the tape and, then, shifting the tape so that, in a series of successive casting oper ations, the complete stringer is formed and, in such apparatus and methods, means have been employed to control the ultimate stringer length. The purpose of my present conception is to provide a method, wherein a complete separable fastener stringer of predetermined or precalculated length is made in a single cycle of machine operation by utilizing a plurality of independent closely arranged and alined units which, collectively, will produce the complete stringer length.

By employing a method of this type and kind, definite controls are provided, in that each unit has an individual and definite engagement with the stringer tape and each unit has its independent injection and other controls regulating the casting operation and the desired result is accomplished by the simultaneous operation of all of the units so that, in each cycle of operation of the units, one complete stringer length will be formed. The dies will all open simultaneously and a new stringer or stringer section will 'be positioned between the dies, whereupon the dies are closed upon the stringer and all of the injection units simultaneously actuated to cast all of the scoops defining the stringer length on the stringer tape.

By a method, such as disclosed, it will be apparent that separable fastener stringers can be produced at a high rate of speed and at a great saving in the cost of production and, as a result, greater economy insofar as selling price is concerned.

By employing the separate units, it will be apparent that these units are readily interchangeable to be set up in series for producing what may be termed short stringer lengths. Another group of units may be set up to produce what may be termed medium stringer lengths and a still further series of units can be set up to produce what may be termed long stringer lengths. ln this connection, it will be understood that the present invention will deal primarily with production of stringers where the demand is sufficiently high to justify utilizing units of the kind under consideration. Where small quantity production is desired, standard machine and method practiccs will be employed. in other words, a series of intermittent groups of castings will be formed in the manner known in the art.

With my improved method, it will be apparent that the injection and die units arranged in the side by side and alined position form, by the die units, a continuous cavity portion, as at 19', for reception of the tape with scoop cavities equally spaced along the tape edge throughout all of the units; whereas, the injection units, which service each die unit, form groups of castings, many of which will form the same number of scoops in each group. In this connection, it will be understood that the number of scoops formed in each group may be varied in the respective units employed.

As may be appreciated, after a complete stringer length is made, a bottom stop may be applied and the stringer then coupled with another similar stringer by means of a slider.

Where complete stringer lengths are formed by feeding pre-cut tape lengths to the die units, it is preferred to feed such lengths in a direction at right angles to the overall length of the die units. The tape may be fed from a continuous roll or other source to a predetermined position opposite the die units, then cut, then the cut length may be moved into the dies at right angles thereto to receive the castings, then the tape and castings moved out of the dies, a newly cut length of the tape fed to the dies, and so on in a con tinuous manner.

For purposes of description. the stringer tape may be considered as a mounting member, on which the castings, such for example as the scoops, are formed. My present invention deals with the production of complete die cast products and, in some instances, the material or structure of the mounting member may vary. as well as the particular form of the castings produced thereon, the fundamental principle being to cmploy a predetermined number of injection and die units to facilitate the production of one long product in a single cycle of operation, wherein the product will have. spaced longitudinally thereof, a predetermined number of die castings.

Having fully described my invention what i claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Die casting apparatus for producing a complete length of separable fastener stringer in a single casting operation, said stringer comprising a beaded tape having coreless scoops spaced longitudinally along one edge thereof, said corclcss scoops comprising scoops having coupling end portions formed solely by means of dies, that is, without the aid of separate cores; said apparatus comprising a pair of relatively movable dies. each die comprising a group of die units alined in end to end relationship, each unit being separate from the others, next adjacent units abutting each other along free end edges thereof, each unit of one group being paired with a corresponding unit of the other group to form a plurality of pairs of die units, the number of pairs of units being sufficient to form a complete length of stringer in one casting operation, each pair of units having a single group of mating scoop cavities and an individual gate passage for each cavity, the scoop cavities being equally spaced throughout said groups of alined units, a plurality of casting material injectors comprising an injector for each pair of units, a main gate passage in each pair of units opening centrally through one side thereof for receiving casting material from an injector, each said main gate passage opening being engageable by said injector, said main gate passage serving to feed casting material to all the individual gate passages and scoop cavities of said pair of units, a tape and tape bead receiving cavity extending continuously through all pairs of units and intersecting said scoop cavities, each scoop cavity being adapted to form on the tape a coreless scoop as above defined, an enlarged end cavity in each unit of one end pair of units for producing a stop member on one end of said stringer length, a longitudinal cavity extending through a plurality of pairs of units but not through said one end pair and intersecting the individual gate passages thereof, a movable core member disposed in said longitudinal cavity for blocking the flow of casting material through one or more individual gate passages adjacent the other end of said stringer length, means adjacent the other end pair of units for fixedly positioning said core member in said longitudinal cavity, all of said units of said plurality of pairs being identical and interchangeable except the units of said one end pair, means for simultaneously separating one group of units from the other and for simultaneously closing said groups, means for simultaneously moving said injectors to and from die casting position, and means for simultaneously actuating said injectors to inject casting material to said pairs of units.

2. Die casting apparatus for producing a complete length of separable fastener stringer in a single casting operation, said stringer comprising a beaded tape having coreless scoops spaced longitudinally along one edge thereof, said coreless scoops comprising scoops having coupling end portions formed solely by means of dies, that is, without the aid of separate cores; said apparatus comprising a pair of relatively movable dies, each die comprising a group of die units alined in end to end relationship, each unit being separate from the others, next adjacent units abutting each other along free end edges thereof, each unit of one group being paired with a corresponding unit of the other group to form a plurality of pairs of die units, the number of pairs of units being sufficient to form a complete length of stringer in one casting operation, each pair of units having a single group of mating scoop cavities and an individual gate passage for each cavity, the scoop cavities being equally spaced throughout said groups of alined units, a plurality of casting material injectors comprising an injector for each pair of units, a main gate passage in each pair of units for receiving casting material from an injector, said main gate passage serving to feed casting material to all the individual gate passages and scoop cavities of said pair of units, a tape and tape bead receiving cavity extending continuously through all pairs of units and intersecting said scoop cavities, each scoop cavity being adapted to form on the tape a coreless scoop as above defined, an enlarged end cavity in each unit of one end pair of units for producing a stop member on one end of said stringer length, a longitudinal cavity extending through a plurality of pairs of units but not through said one end pair and intersecting the individual gate passages thereof, a movable core member disposed in said longitudinal cavity for blocking the flow of casting material through one or more individual gate passages adjacent the other end of said stringer length, and all of said units of said plurality of pairs being identical 6 and interchangeable except the units of said one end pair.

3. Die casting apparatus for producing a complete length of separable fastener stringer in a single casting operation, said stringer comprising a beaded tape having scoops spaced longitudinally along one edge thereof, said apparatus comprising a pair of relatively movable dies, each die comprising a group of die units alined in end to end relatonship, each unit being separate from the others, next adjacent units, abutting each other along free end edges thereof, each unit of one group being paired with a corresponding unit of the other group to form a plurality of pairs of die units, the number of pairs of units being sufficient to form a complete length of stringer in one casting operation, each pair of units having a single group of mating scoop cavities and an individual gate passage for each cavity, the scoop cavities being equally spaced throughout said groups of alined units, a main gate passage in each pair of units for receiving casting material from an injector, said main gate passage serving to feed casting material to all the individual gate passages and scoop cavities of said pair of units, a tape and tape bead receiving cavity extending continuously through all pairs of units and intersecting said scoop cavities, a longitudinal cavity extending through a plurality of pairs of units but not through said one end pair and intersecting the individual gate passages thereof, and a movable core member disposed in said longitudinal cavity for blocking the flow ofcasting material through one or more individual gate passages adjacent the other end of said stringer length.

4. Die casting apparatus for producing a complete length of separable fastener stringer in a single casting operation, said stringer comprising a beaded tape having coreless scoops spaced longitudinally along one edge thereof, said coreless scoops comprising scoops having coupling end portions formed solely by means of dies, that is, without the aid of separate cores; said apparatus comprising a pair of relatively movable dies, each die comprising a group of die units alined in end to end relationship, each unit being separate from the others, next adjacent units abutting each other along free end edges thereof, each unit of one group being paired with a corresponding unit of the other group to form a plurality of pairs of die units, the number of pairs of units being sufficient to form a complete length of stringer in one casting operation, each pair of units having a single group of mating scoop cavities and an individual gate passage for each cavity, the scoop cavities being equally spacved throughout said groups of alined units, a gate passage in each pair of units having an opening for receiving casting material from an injector, each said gate passage opening being engageable by said injector, said gate passage serving to feed casting material to the individual gate passages and scoop cavities of said pair of units, a tape and tape bead receiving cavity extending continuously through all pairs of units and intersecting said scoop cavities, each scoop cavity being adapted to form on the tape a coreless scoop as above defined, a longitudinal cavity extending through a plurality of pairs of units but not through said one end pair and intersecting the individual gate passages thereof, and a movable core member disposed in said longitudinal cavity for blocking the flow of casting material through one or more individual gate passages adjacent the other end of said stringer length.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,163,177 Novotny June 20, 1939 2,447,355 Morin Aug. 17, 1948 2,465,656 Morin Mar. 29, 1949 2,467,047 Morin Apr. 12, 1949 2,495,592 Morin Jan. 24, 1950 2,516,086 Winterhalter July 18, 1950 

